Shimmying down the ruins was no easy task, especially with her hurt leg, but Marcella didn't have time to be careful. After a few scrapes and shortfalls, she landed on the ground, no worse for wear, and ran as fast as her sore leg would allow her. By the time that rookie knew what happened, she'd be long gone. Her feet thudded against the cracked, pressed terrain. She could've made a break for her hovercycle, parked against the other side of the ancient building but thought better of it. The…dubiously acquired vehicle would probably just cause too much—
She snapped her head back as she heard a soft crunching sound behind her. In the distance, still at the base of the ruins, the small figure of Officer Killjoy was running after her. Her shock turned into excitement.
Oh still trying, are you?
She increased her gait, wincing slightly as her leg throbbed, but managing a small laugh through quick breaths. The crunching grew louder, causing her to look over her shoulder again. The officer was sprinting right at her, faster than she'd ever seen anyone run before. His eyes were furious, arms pumping in perfect rhythm while his feet kicked up small clouds of dust. In only moments he would be caught up with her.
"Oh, shit —"
She lurched forward in a panic, forcing herself into a sprint. She only made it another few feet before she was violently tackled to the ground.
"...Well, this is embarrassing."
The suspect lay face down on the ground, face flat in the dirt in a dramatic show of defeat. Castis sat on the small of her back and bound her hands behind her. She didn't bother to struggle.
"Shouldn't run."
"Oh, now you tell me." She mumbled.
He finished cuffing her hands and moved off her back and to her side. "Is that too tight?"
"Oh!" She lifted her head to look at him, flecks of sand sticking to her mandibles. "Still trying to be a gentleman—"
"Alright." He cut her off, grabbing her by her forearm and lifting her to her feet.
"Hey, easy!"
He pointed north toward the horizon. The barren landscape seemed to stretch forever, nothing but sun-scorched earth and bits of old structures, the remains of a once-great ancient civilization. Off in the distance was a short building, barely visible under the glare of the sun. "Let's go."
"Wait, we're gonna walk?" She twisted her arms but his grip held firm.
"It's fine, I make this walk all the time." He grumbled. "I'm assuming your leg feels alright considering you ran."
She squinted in the direction of the fort. Then Castis's face. Then at the fort again. "...How about a round two, instead? No cheap shots this time."
He gave her a firm nudge. "March."
"I was just caught off guard." She was still looking off in the distance. "I could've taken you if I just...!" She whirled around and swung her elbow at his face.
"Gotcha — !"
Wordlessly, Castis ducked forward, catching her in her stomach and swinging her over his shoulder. He turned and headed off in the direction of the outpost.
There was a pause.
"...Okay. Alright. You got me. Put me down, I'll walk."
"Nope."
"...You're really going to carry me all the way there?"
"Yep."
She hung in silence for a few moments. "You'll get tired eventually."
"Doubt it." Loaded marches were commonplace in training. His record was carrying 75 pounds over twenty miles.
He heard an exasperated sound and felt her shift her weight, seemingly to make herself more comfortable. "You're lucky you're cute."
Castis stumbled, almost taking them both to the ground before quickly regaining his balance.
"Hey—!"
"Sorry, I, uh, s-sinkhole." He felt his stomach squeeze painfully. There were exactly 1,258 steps to the fort and he decided to focus on counting them.
"You know," He felt her elbows dig into his upper back as she rested her chin in her hands. "This all could have been avoided if you had just shot me like your boss said."
A wave of guilt flooded over him. "You heard that?"
"Well, guess I'm your problem n—"
The comm on his wrist lit up. A voice spoke so loud it made the audio buzz.
"Hey, uh, you didn't disconnect while reporting to Faldos did you?"
Castis grimaced. "Fedorian, I have a suspect in custody right now, I ca—"
"Are you serious?! " The comm screeched violently at the sudden spike in volume. "I'm almost proud of you! Anyway, can I have your office after he splatters you against a-"
Castis quickly cut the comm and stared ahead, focusing on the steps. He felt the weight on his shoulder shift.
"So...who was that?"
"Nobody." 321, 322, 323...
"Sounds like a real charmer."
"He's...nicer than he sounds."
"Well, it sounds like he's after your job."
Castis scoffed. "He just thinks he's funny."
"Seriously, you shouldn't trust anyone like that, even as a joke. They'll eat you alive."
"It's not like that at all." He squinted at the fort, growing slowly larger with every step. "He's my..."
Only friend.
"My second-in-command."
"Oh, got an elite squad huh? To round up criminals like me?"
"That's right." He lied.
In truth, the fort was manned by a skeleton crew. Beside him, Fedorian, and the General, only a handful of men attended to rudimentary jobs to maintain the outpost. But she didn't need to know that.
"Aw, do they all flock to you? Their obsequious little leader?"
"Um, well…" Castis swallowed. The sun was burning in his eyes and his mouth felt dry.
"Let me guess," He heard her sigh and felt her elbows slide across his back as she changed positions. "you had something to prove so you became the ideal soldier and all your little underlings worship you."
"Not…..entirely…."
"Can you even be friends with your subordinates? Is it weird to hang out in your free time? Do they still have to call you "sir"? I mean, sure, you're all 'best friends til the end', but I bet when it all goes sideways—"
Castis wasn't listening anymore. A knot had formed in his stomach and was twisting his insides. He found he could no longer focus on his counting.
"4:36! Incredible!"
Sargeant Tiran laughed and shook his head, hands on his hips. The big holographic screen in front of the barracks had just been updated with the new mile times for the unit. Vakarian, C had just jumped to the top.
Castis approached the sergeant, freshly showered, and still adjusting his uniform. "Thank you, sir."
"You have the fastest time in the unit!" The sergeant popped open his omni-tool, jotting down some notes. "Don't think we haven't noticed. There are talks of you receiving a special commendation."
Castis did a stiff salute. "Thank you, sir."
"Have you thought about Ortus Academy? Someone with your dedication could really succeed there." He put away the omni-tool and gave Castis a meaningful look. "I'd be happy to give you my personal recommendation."
"Thank you, s—"
"Yes, yes, I got it." Sergeant Tiran laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now, go relax in the common room. You deserve it."
"Uh…" Castis wrung his hands, feeling a wave of unease hit his stomach. "No thank you, sir, I still have some work I—"
"That's an order ." The sergeant said, giving him a friendly nod and nudging him with his elbow.
"Yes, sir." Castis saluted and obediently marched past him and into the wide opening of the barracks. Inside, he turned down one of the long hallways and into a small lounge used for recreation, filled with a few dull-looking couches and tables. He froze in the doorway. A group of seven of his peers were congregating around a smaller holo-board displaying the running times.
"Nice one, Bellicus," A jeering private playfully pushed their friend. "10:38? Did you crawl?"
"Shut up, Aprica! I don't see you doing any better!."
"My dad runs faster than you and he lost both his legs!"
Castis forced himself to take a step closer as the group carried on.
"Maybe he wouldn't have lost his legs if he wasn't slow in the first place!" Bellicus shot back. "Ever think about tha—"
Aprica had grabbed him in a headlock and they both fell to the floor in a heap. A third friend tried to break them up but only succeeded in joining the pile. The rest of the group was laughing and cheering at the mayhem.
Laughing, teasing, joking.
Castis opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
Coward.
Silently, he turned and went to his room.
"...and the award for Outstanding Military Achievement goes to…" Sargeant Vantis paused for emphasis, taking a glance around the auditorium but no one seemed particularly interested. "...Castis Vakarian."
There was polite, reserved applause. Castis marched stiffly across the stage. He turned to the audience, a few hundred newly-made soldiers, and bowed deeply. By the time he rose the room was quiet again.
"And our final award" The sergeant continued as Castis moved to stand next to a few other award winners. "for Most Improved goes to—"
"Woo!" A lone voice yelled from the back. There were a few snickers in the crowd,
"...goes to," The sergeant glared, eyes darting around the audience. "...Bellicus Ardos."
An eruption of cheers resounded around the auditorium. Bellicus strode across the stage pointing and waving ostentatiously. He took his place next to Castis, still grandstanding and riling up the crowd.
"That concludes the ceremony for this evening—"
Castis looked sideways at Bellicus, still posturing, then back at the audience. Some soldiers were pointing and waving at their friends lined on stage (though not at Castis himself) while others were talking excitedly amongst themselves. Everyone was getting ready to move to the adjacent room where they would greet their families.
Castis tore his gaze away from his excited peers and walked toward Sargeant Tiran who was beckoning him over from the side.
"Congratulations, son." Tiran patted Castis firmly on the shoulder. "I hope you will consider that Academy I was talking about?"
"Not so fast, Tiran," A broad turian strode up, his tidy uniform showing an almost presumptuous display of shined medals. "I want this one to serve on my ship."
Castis somehow stood up even straighter and saluted. "S-sir! I—"
"I don't think so, Barrick," A short female wearing a formal-looking medical uniform appeared from behind. "Young man, you would be a perfect fit for Perennius Station."
Castis spun around so fast he made himself dizzy. "Ma'am!"
"Now, now!" Sergeant Tiran had pushed his way through the gathered officials, though still giving proper salutes to each of them. "Vakarian has a lot to think about, how about we let him enjoy the evening with his fellow soldiers?"
The assembled officials reluctantly backed off, continuing to talk amongst themselves as Tiran led Castis off the stage and toward the door where everyone was exiting
"They're all fine choices!" Tiran said as they weaved through the crowd. "You have a lot to consider, but honestly, I think the academy is your best bet. My offer still stands."
Castis nodded a little too enthusiastically. "Yes sir, thank you, sir!" He wished he could think of something else to say.
They stopped right inside the entrance of a large hall where families of all sizes were waiting, some already embracing the graduates who were gradually filling into the room.
"I...know you don't have family here..." Sergeant Tiran awkwardly patted him on the soldier, "but your friends will celebrate with you! Go, catch up with them, we can talk more later."
Castis did his best to hide his dismay. "...Yes, sir, thank—"
Tiran had already disappeared back through the door. Castis slowly turned to face the room and swallowed with some difficulty. He held his hands behind his back, then to his sides, then grasped them together, squeezing painfully.
Almost everyone was in the room now. Families, friends, and all manner of acquaintances were chatting and celebrating. Sounds of happiness and praise were buzzing in his ears.
Laughing, yelling, cheering, hugging.
He opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
Internally, he screamed.
"I'm guessing this is it?"
Castis blinked a few times and shook the memories from his head. "Huh?" It took a few seconds for him to realize he was in the shadow of a squat, ugly garrison. There were faint markings on the side that had probably said Audax at some point but had long been worn away.
"Um, yes. Here."
"Finally." The suspect placed her hands on his lower back and pulled herself forward, her legs sliding over his shoulders before he had a chance to grab her. She tucked and rolled onto the ground then stood up easily.
"H-hey!" Castis grasped at his unladen shoulders, completely dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I'm not letting you carry me into the building." She brushed the dirt off her knees and shot him a teasing glance.
He could only glower.
"Come on then." She strode past him toward the entrance marked by a large and thick metal door.
"Wait, I'm going first!" He pushed past her and angrily punched in numbers on a small keypad next to the door. It slid open with a sharp whine and revealed a dim corridor.
"Stay close." He ordered.
The corridor was long and broke into a series of small hallways, each leading to a door marked with a faded label. The walls were bare save for a large flickering screen displaying a static map of the area. The suspect trotted close to Castis's heels, taking in the monotonous scenery. "Sooo... there wouldn't happen to be a way we could go back for my cycle at some point, is there?"
"Your what?"
"I had a hovercycle at the ruins I stole—"
He whipped his head around to look at her.
"-borrowed. I borrowed it." She gave him a wide-eyed look. "...from a…a friend."
Castis grimaced and looked back, mandibles flicking in irritation. He added 'vehicle theft' to a growing list in his mind. He power-walked to the T-shaped end of the corridor and took a right, heading down another dim hallway
"It's just that, I mean, I really don't want to walk all the way back—"
"Here."
They reached a large door identical to the rest lining the hall. The grubby doorplate was labeled General Andin Faldos. Castis pausedn, his finger hovering over the door switch.
"He can be...irritable. Just let me do the talking."
"Sure." She picked at her talons nonchalantly.
Castis pushed the switch that slid open the general's door. He walked a single step in before saluting rigidly.
"Sir, I called earlier. This is the— "
"Vakarian."
The general's voice cut through the room, deep, gravelly, and terrifying. The lights of his large, bare office were even dimmer than they were in the hall and they flickered slightly causing the shadow of his large frame to shrink and grow. He was hunched over his desk, hands intertwined under his chin as though waiting for this moment for some time. His subvocals rumbled in an underlying threat.
"I don't like being cut off."
Castis swallowed, feeling his heart thud against his chest. He chose his next words carefully. "My apologies, General. It will not happen again."
"It better not." The general squeezed his fingers causing them to emit a faint pop. "...or I'll make sure of it."
Faldos' eyes darted to the suspect. Castis noticed she was no longer looking very relaxed.
"Who are—"
"Sir," The suspect stepped forward, looking like she was finally taking this seriously. "My name is Marcella Khatirus, I'm a bounty hunter. I have been residing on this planet for 3 months. My citizen ID number is D2648233. I had every authorization to be in the Inussanon ruins. If you see here..." She lit up her omni-tool and showed lines of official-looking documentation, "...everything should be in order."
Castis's jaw dropped, pure outrage etched on his face.
What?! WHAT!?
Faldos narrowed his eyes. "I see."
The suspect turned her head slightly, looking at Castis in her peripheral vision. She had that teasing look again.
"However..." Faldos brought his hands down and laid them flat on the desk, his gaze never leaving her. "According to the report, it seems you attacked my officer."
"Oh...uh…" She rubbed her hands together nervously. "It was more of a scuffle really— "
"Do you know what I do to criminals who assault my officers?"
The general slowly rose from his desk. Blue energy was enveloping him, making the air around him crackle.
The suspect tensed. "I...I didn't ..."
Castis stepped forward. "Sir, wait—"
Faldos's head snapped toward him. The energy abated.
"—that's not what happened."
Faldos's mandibles flared, barring his jagged teeth. He pointed at Castis in a slow, deliberate manner. "You told me that you were assaulted."
Castis took a deep breath. He folded his hands behind his back and straightened as tall as he could. "Apologies, sir. It was a miscommunication."
"A...'miscommunication'?"
The energy around the general reignited. In one quick motion, he walked around his desk, stormed up to Castis, and jammed a finger into his chest.
"Do you think I am stupid?" He hissed.
Castis stood as still as a stone. "No, sir."
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"No, sir."
Faldos abruptly turned and threw out his arm toward the desk behind him. A burst of energy came out of his fist, hitting the desk and hurdling across the room. It smashed against the wall violently, its shape twisted and bent, a few datapads it held clattered noisily to the ground.
The suspect gaped in shock. Castis didn't even flinch.
Faldos turned back and jutted his face into Castis's, his breath hot and acrid.
"Get the fuck out of my office."
"Sir."
Castis saluted, turned on his heel, and marched as quickly as he could out of the room. The suspect practically ran to keep up with him. The door slid shut solidly behind them. They both stood silently.
"That was..." Her eyes were wide with shock.
Castis gave her a sideways glance. He realized this whole time he hadn't actually seen her afraid.
"Yeah...he's..." He lifted a hand and hovered it at her side, and considered patting her on the shoulder. "Don't take it personally, he can be very—"
Suddenly, He remembered. He turned to her. The suspect.
Marcella.
He grabbed her firmly by her upper arms. Her eyes widened even more.
"Why didn't you just tell me who you were!?"
Her shock turned back into amusement. "...Why didn't you just shoot me?"
"Why did you attack me!?"
"Why did you just lie about it...?"
They stared at each other, both at an impasse.
Castis released her and smashed his hands together, squeezing them violently.
"I just… I just don't understand why — "
She threw up her arms in exasperation. "Listen, If I had a credit for every time some rookie with a complex hassled me for just doing my job —"
"I, uh—"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to get any actual work done taking in real criminals when people just assume that you're...just because…!"
She gestured to her old, repurposed armor and her bare face, free of any traditional colony markings.
"Oh..."Castis balked, feeling a little ashamed. "Well, you still should've just...told me your name..."
"Well, to be honest..." Her eyes flashed mischievously. "...you're kind of cute and I wanted to spend more time with you."
"Wh...a...t...?" Castis's insides liquidated and he felt as though he would melt into the floor.
"Maybe we can discuss this further. Perhaps over dinner?"
He was frozen, completely and utterly stunned. He blinked several times, fearing his brain might short-circuit.
Is she..? Is she really…? Yes! YES!
He opened his mouth. This was it. He wouldn't hesitate. Not this time.
"You…! I - ah - y-you're nice but - I...I-I'm...not...!"
"Oh, damn, sorry." She laughed a little awkwardly and took a step back. "Guess I read that wrong."
Castis choked. His ears were buzzing and his mind was screaming. He tried to get something out, anything. It was all going so terribly wrong.
"I..! N-no, it's not…! I'm not…! Don't…!"
"Hey, it's okay. I understand." She shrugged. "It was just a thought, don't worry about it."
She gave him a light pat on the shoulder, turned on her heel, and walked away. By the time Castis had realized what happened, she had already turned down the corridor and walked out of sight. He stared at the ground, hands shaking, and stomped his foot childishly.
Stupid! Stupid! Idiot! STUPID!
